The Cabinet Minutes of 1989–90. The Road to Reunification. A “Tightrope Walk” in Inter-German Politics
So-called incidents at the inner-German border, disruptions to Berlin’s traffic, espionage scandals, embassy occupations, and much more strained relations in a divided Germany for decades.
How did the respective federal governments deal with these events? For example, how did the Kohl cabinet discuss the developments in the GDR in 1989, and how did it justify its decisions? The Federal Archives’ publication “The Cabinet Minutes of the Federal Government” provides ample starting points for exploring these questions.
In her lecture “The Cabinet Minutes 1989/90: The Path to Reunification. A ‘Tightrope Walk’ in German-German Politics” on Friday, September 25, Uta Rössel (Federal Archives) will provide insight into the editorial work at the Grenzhus Schlagsdorf and, using examples, encourage attendees to explore political decision-making processes based on primary sources.
Before and after the event, attendees will have the opportunity to submit a request to view Stasi files. To do so, please bring a valid form of identification.
Date:
Friday, September 25, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
Lecture and discussion
Speaker: Uta Rössel, Federal Archives
Location:
Grenzhus Schlagsdorf
Neubauernweg 1
19217 Schlagsdorf
Admission is free.
The event is a collaboration between Politische Memoriale e.V. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the Federal Archives – Stasi Records Archive in Schwerin.
